Constitution Act 1986

The Legislature - Parliament and public finance

22: Parliamentary control of public finance

You could also call this:

"The government needs permission from Parliament to collect taxes, borrow money, or spend public money."

The Crown cannot do certain things without an Act of Parliament. You know the Crown is like the government. It cannot levy a tax, which is money collected from people, without Parliament agreeing. It also cannot borrow money or receive borrowed money from anyone, or spend public money, without Parliament's approval.

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This page was last updated on 18 July 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM94252.

Topics:

Government and voting > Government departmentsMoney and consumer rights > Taxes

21: Bills appropriating public money, or

"Laws about spending public money"

23: Protection of Judges against removal from office, or

"Judges can only be removed from their job if they do something wrong or can't work properly."

Part 3The Legislature
Parliament and public finance

22Parliamentary control of public finance

It shall not be lawful for the Crown, except by or under an Act of Parliament,—
to levy a tax; or
to borrow money or to receive money borrowed from any person; or
to spend any public money.

Notes

Section 22(b): substituted, on 25 January 2005, by section 37(1) of the Public Finance Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 113).